Raising the achievement of disadvantaged children
The Government introduced the Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) in April 2011. Pupil Premium is additional funding provided to state-funded schools in England to support the education and attainment of disadvantaged pupils and help to reduce barriers to educational achievement.
Pupil Premium funding is available to mainstream and non-mainstream schools, including special schools and pupil referral units. Schools receive Pupil Premium funding for eligible pupils who are:
- Eligible for Targeted Free School Meals (FSM), or who have been eligible for Targeted FSM at any point in the previous six years (known as the Ever 6 FSM group).
- Previously looked-after children (children who have left local authority care through adoption, a special guardianship order or child arrangements order).
- Looked-after children, for whom funding is allocated through the local authority.
- Eligible service children, who attract separate Service Pupil Premium funding.
From September 2026, the Government has expanded Free School Meal eligibility. All children living in households receiving Universal Credit are now entitled to receive a free school meal, regardless of household income.
There are now two categories of Free School Meals:
- Targeted FSM – for children in households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less. These pupils are eligible for Pupil Premium funding and are included in the Ever 6 FSM group.
- Expanded FSM – for children in households receiving Universal Credit whose annual household earnings are above £7,400. These children are entitled to a free school meal, but do not attract Pupil Premium funding.
Free School Meals - Eligibility Checker
From September 2026, Free School Meal eligibility has been expanded significantly. If your family receives Universal Credit, your child may now be entitled to a free school meal, regardless of your household earnings.
Registering for Free School Meals is important because, where a child meets the Targeted FSM criteria, the school may also receive additional Pupil Premium funding. This funding helps us provide additional support, resources and opportunities to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
Even if you think your child may not previously have qualified, we encourage families receiving Universal Credit to check their eligibility.
To find out whether your child is eligible for Free School Meals, please use the Government's Free School Meals eligibility checker here.
